Effect of caffeine intake during pregnancy on the risk of intrauterine growth retardation

We estimated the effect of caffeine intake from tea, coffee, and colas on the risk of mild and severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) through a case-control study in 500 live singleton infants born at Sainte-Justine Hospital, in Montreal, between May 1998 and July 2000. Cases of IUGR as well as one sex, race and gestational age-matched control per case were identified at birth. Data were abstracted from medical charts and post-delivery questionnaires, and were analysed using conditional logistic regression. Average caffeine intake in pregnancy was not a significant predictor of mild or severe IUGR (for mild IUGR, OR for >300 mg/day of caffeine vs. none:1.21, 95%CI [0.33, 4.40]; trend: p = 0.28). Moderate first-trimester caffeine use significantly increased the risk of mild (OR 2.41, 95%CI [1.01, 5.75]), but not severe, IUGR. Reduction of caffeine use at the onset of pregnancy was protective for mild and severe IUGR (OR 0.34, 95%CI [0.13, 0.92], and 0.55, 95%CI [0.32, 0.94], respectively)